Which shock absorbers are better, gas or. Which shock absorbers are better (more reliable): gas, oil or gas-oil. Plus a detailed video. So the choice is yours

Which shock absorbers are better and more reliable to install on your car - gas, oil or gas-oil. Now you can choose almost any type, but which ones are more comfortable?

DEFINITELY OIL AND A COOL COMPANY.. DOESN'T KEEP MY GAS OIL... ALREADY TRIED EVERYTHING PUT THE ORIGINAL.. AS THE BOOK SAYS

The oil shock absorber is difficult to release. It goes in very easily!

Wouldn't it be easier to install hard springs with oil struts?

Thank you for the clear explanation, very useful information! Like it of course.

The best ones are oil ones on our roads to overcome potholes on the asphalt.

You lower the car and the roll is much less than all the manipulations with springs and shock absorbers, and the car remains just as soft, and if, in addition, you increase the wheel diameter, then in general you will be driving like in a twist metal game between two wheels; there will be overall controllability, THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LOVE the Infiniti fx35 , she gives it all from the factory, she has 20 wheels from the factory, everything is calculated, the engine, chassis and gearbox and, accordingly, the body, since the base is between two huge wheels. And it’s also nice that you sit not on the floor, but high up.

mine have already passed 240 thousand and are still alive - original wv.

And if the rear ones are gas-oil. You can put oil on the front. Thanks in advance

You are well done. Everything is so detailed and concise always.)

In general, what better than springs put? tof dog or emu. would you answer? what should you look at? Thanks in advance!

Hello, can you tell me what is best to install on the Pajera 4? They advise me to buy old man emo sport amors! or a profinder with tof dog springs! the profiler seems to have two pipes)))))

Thank you, I think oil will be suitable for Lanos. Thanks to the author

the piston does not press on the lower piston))) where does this information come from?))

Which shock absorbers are best for passenger trailers with spring suspension?

Hello. Why do the front shock absorbers knock when decompressing on potholes?

There are also shock absorbers with self-leveling - and they are truly “golden” - their comfort and price are higher than all three in the video. These ones have done 230 thousand km from the factory. The gas pressure inside them is about 150 atm. That's why they are heavier than usual gas times at two. If it weren’t for the dead anthers and the lack of replacement, they would still work. And so the rod standing at the bottom gradually killed the seals from dust and lost their elasticity. One leaked and was replaced with a gas-oil one.

explain what he says about rolls from the 3rd minute?)

In Russia it is not expensive for gas-oil shock absorbers, much less for gas ones)

SO WHICH ARE DURABLE AND MORE RELIABLE.

what about hydropneumatic?

Good video. Inspires trust

WELL DONE EXPLAINED CLEARLY.

best review I've seen!

Renault Logan has gas-oil shock absorbers installed and they work effectively. I vote for them!

Thank you for the video. Everything is very detailed, competent and intelligible.

gas shock absorbers are located on the trunk lids of hatches and station wagons.

Thank you, it’s useful! Just write and say valves and gas-oil shock absorbers correctly

A car is, first of all, wheels; people call cars wheels for a reason (get wheels). This is the main fulcrum of the car, and the damping element between the body and the wheels is shock absorbers. Of course, no one belittles the role of the spring or springs, but springs can only work in one direction. The spring is not capable of quickly extinguishing the vibrations that occur when driving on an uneven road. The spring is complemented by a shock absorber, which is an integral part of the suspension, operating in reverse direction. It is he who dampens the vibrations and pitching of the body.

Which shock absorbers to choose

What types of shock absorbers are there?

Today there are two types:

Oil shock absorbers (working medium oil);
Gas shock absorbers (working medium gas and oil).

The standard placement of shock absorbers in a car is one per wheel. Sometimes they install two per wheel. A shock absorber is a cylinder containing a piston and a valve system. When the shock absorber is compressed, the medium (oil or gas) passes freely through the piston, but when stretched, the valve does not provide maximum flow, restraining the rapid expansion of the shock absorber. With the help of various air chambers, valves and cylinders, the shock absorber dampens all pitching and vibrations, ensuring a smooth ride of the car.

What is the difference between gas and oil shock absorbers

How are shock absorbers different?

A gas shock absorber does not have air chambers, they contain gas. Key Difference– this is a variable rigidity during compression (it increases), which is completely unusual for a liquid medium. However, one hundred percent gas shock absorbers simply do not exist; they have a mixed medium - oil, gas, hence the unofficial name gas-oil.

Oil vibration damping devices are more rigid, since there is only one working medium in the shock absorber - oil. And since liquids are very poorly compressible, the corresponding travel characteristics are obtained. Gas shock absorbers have a double working medium, and it is easily compressed. Gas devices are more adaptable to changing road conditions. The gas-oil shock absorber absorbs small irregularities very gently, but when the rod movements become significant, the device increases rigidity. This (wide operating range) is one of the main advantages of gas shock absorbers. By and large it all depends on correct settings valves, selection of chamber volumes, and other design features.

Which shock absorbers are better

So which ones should you choose?

The most the right choice The shock absorbers will be those recommended by the manufacturer of your car. Replacing them with devices with significantly different performance characteristics will negatively affect the performance of the vehicle. Car manufacturers are well aware of the properties and features of various shock absorbers. They meticulously calculate the suspension of their cars down to the microns, the smallest details. Therefore, for a comfortable and safe ride, it is better to use standard shock absorbers. Based on the characteristics of any brand and model, you can choose a suitable option for both types.

If you mainly drive on a flat road or highway, then your choice is stiffer shock absorbers, but if the car is operated on bumpy surfaces, then you should choose softer options. The original shock absorber can last up to 60 thousand mileage; oil shock absorbers are more reliable, since their design is simpler. In terms of cost, gas shock absorbers are slightly more expensive, about twenty percent.

Which shock absorbers are better: oil, gas or gas-oil?

Shock absorbers are one of the main components of a car's suspension. They ensure smooth movement on uneven roads and prevent excessive swaying of the car.

There are three main types of shock absorbers for passenger cars: oil, gas and gas-oil shock absorbers. In this article we will talk about how they are designed, their pros and cons, as well as which shock absorbers are best for urban and suburban use.

What are oil shock absorbers

Twin-tube oil shock absorber.

Oil (liquid, hydraulic) shock absorbers are used on passenger cars in more than half of the cases. They are designed quite simply: there is a cylindrical chamber filled with oil, and a piston with small through holes moves in it, dividing the chamber into two parts. When hitting a bump, the shock absorber compresses - oil flows through the holes in the piston from one part of the chamber to another. This is a relatively slow process, thanks to which the oil smoothes out vibrations and softens shocks.

they are quite simple to produce, therefore, as a rule, they are significantly cheaper than other types;
you can do without them special problems repair in case of malfunctions or even restore in case of severe wear and tear;
provide good softness movement due to high compliance - they can be squeezed with bare hands;
in general, their dimensions are much smaller than those of gas shock absorbers.

high softness results in excessive body sway and instability in corners, especially on high speed;
When driving, the oil heats up and fills with air bubbles, which makes the shock absorbers even more pliable;
at low temperatures, the oil thickens, and as a result, the suspension becomes stiff;
Oil shock absorbers cannot boast of particular durability; they are sensitive to the slightest deformation.

What are gas shock absorbers

Monotube gas shock absorber.

What are called gas shock absorbers are actually the same hydraulic, oil shock absorbers, only with the addition of a pneumatic chamber. There are no shock absorbers that use only gas. At least in the mass industry aimed at passenger cars. In fact, any gas shock absorber is gas-oil. But for convenience, they are divided into two separate types, because they are structured differently.

There is also nothing complicated in the design of gas shock absorbers - almost everything is the same as in liquid shock absorbers, only another chamber with highly compressed gas is added, usually nitrogen. It turns out that during compression, energy is absorbed not only and not even so much by the oil, but by this very compressed gas.

they are, as a rule, very rigid, due to which they give the car excellent stability and controllability;
much easier to tolerate heat or low temperatures, without losing performance properties so much;
can unclench independently and generally react faster to changes in the level of the road surface;
30-50 percent more durable than purely hydraulic shock absorbers.

due to their extreme rigidity, it can be problematic to use them even in the city - the slightest unevenness is clearly felt;
transferring all the vibrations to the body, such shock absorbers wear out the body and interior parts more, and generate a lot of noise;
on rough roads they help rapid wear pendants;
their cost is significantly higher than that of oil shock absorbers.

Read also: What are coilovers and how do they work.

What are gas-oil shock absorbers

As mentioned above, gas and gas-oil shock absorbers are essentially the same thing, the only difference is in the design. The gas-oil shock absorber uses two chambers, a cylinder within a cylinder. When compressed, the oil flows from the inner chamber to the outer one, where it rests against a partition, behind which there is a chamber with gas. This achieves some compromise between the features of a gas and oil shock absorber.

The advantages and disadvantages of gas-oil shock absorbers are identical to those of oil and gas shock absorbers, the only difference is that in gas-oil shock absorbers they are much less pronounced:

nitrogen pressure is several times lower than in gas ones, making them much softer, but at the same time harder than oil ones;
the price of gas-oil shock absorbers is most often something in between - cheaper than gas shock absorbers, more expensive than hydraulic ones;
are subject to deterioration in performance due to temperature changes, although to a lesser extent than fully oil shock absorbers.

Read also: What is air suspension, its structure and principle of operation.

Which shock absorbers are better and in what cases

If we are talking about using a car according to the most popular scenario such as “80% city and 20% country trips”, then gas-oil shock absorbers are golden mean. They provide good stability and handling without making people in the car feel like they're riding a cart on a washboard. Nitrogen prevents the oil from boiling and gassing, so this design is quite resistant to rough roads and long trips.

Oil shock absorbers are especially good in bad road conditions or complete off-road. That is, this is the clear choice of people who live outside the city. Another argument in favor of this choice is the low price. Even in the background there are several shorter term service is a very profitable purchase.

And gas shock absorbers are the choice of uncompromising car owners who live in big cities with good roads, and want to get maximum dynamics and controllability. Most often, such models are installed on sports cars or tuned cars. Driving with high-quality gas shock absorbers is really similar to driving a sports car - the car responds sensitively to the steering wheel and practically does not roll when cornering.

There is also a “limited tuning” option, when gas shock absorbers are installed on the front wheels for better handling, and gas-oil shock absorbers are installed on the rear wheels for greater softness. But the meaning of such mixing is rather doubtful, because the hard front part perfectly transmits all the irregularities to the interior, and the softer ones rear shock absorbers improve the situation little.

Read also: What is MacPherson, how it works and works.

Video on the topic

Gas or oil - choose racks

Sooner or later, every car enthusiast faces a problem - what shock absorbers should be installed to replace used old ones?. Domestic market There is so much variety in shock absorbers that it’s easy to get confused in the abundance of manufacturers. And driving a car with faulty struts is not only not pleasant, but even risky - the car becomes uncontrollable, has poor grip on the road surface, constantly pulls to the side, and efficiency noticeably decreases brake system.

And what to do, before there were ordinary hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers, but my work colleagues recommend installing modern ones - gas ones. Some domestic car enthusiasts prefer to change shock absorbers immediately after purchasing a new car. How feasible is this, which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil, or maybe there is an alternative to both - today we will figure this out, based on our own driving experience and expert advice.

Why are they needed at all?

This opinion is shared by some domestic car enthusiasts, arguing that shock absorbers are not needed, the main thing is springs. It is they, in their opinion, that support the car body while driving and soften the effect of all road irregularities on the car. Yes, indeed, maintaining the body is the prerogative of the springs, and shock absorbers serve to reduce the amount of vibration of the springs and make their movement smooth. If only springs were installed on a car, then you would feel like a toy on a spring in the cabin of such a car during even slow movement. In this case, you would simply have to forget about safety and good adhesion of the car’s wheels to the road surface.

Hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers

Almost all passenger cars from domestic automakers are equipped with hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers. Let me remind you that previously either friction or band shock absorbers were installed on passenger cars.

Modern hydraulic struts are a double-acting system. It reduces the amplitude of suspension vibrations, both during its full compression and during its relaxation. This is achieved through oil, which, moving from one part of the shock absorber to another, takes on the resistance of the springs, thereby extinguishing their destructive force. The hydraulic shock absorber consists of a working cylinder, a rod with a piston, a compensation chamber, a guide bushing and a shock-absorbing fluid - oil.

The main disadvantage hydraulic struts is the presence air mixture in the compensation chamber. In the case when in the chamber low level air or there is no air at all, the efficiency of the shock absorbers is zero. Otherwise, when there is too much air, the shock absorber will also not cope with its duties - it will simply fail (compress and expand without resistance).

Also negative trait oil shock absorbers is their poor heat transfer. During long driving, due to poor cooling conditions, the oil fluid in the shock absorbers overheats, thereby losing its binding properties, which means the efficiency of the struts is reduced. When driving on poor roads, even at low speed, the car body begins to sway a little - this is not at all dangerous, but rather unpleasant.

It is not recommended to drive fast bad roads on a vehicle equipped with hydraulic struts. Due to the frequent and sudden movement of the piston, a tense field is created on its working surface, which contributes to the formation of cavitation bubbles - in a word, it can cause foaming oil.

In this case, the oil, mixing with air bubbles, turns into an emulsion, which leads to a decrease in the viscosity of the oil, as a result of which the shock absorber generally fails and stops coping with its responsibilities.

To the benefits of this type of shock absorbers, one can undoubtedly attribute their cost - the most affordable shock absorbers on the market, quite small in size, resistant to external negative factors.

Gas shock absorbers

A few years ago, soft hydraulics were replaced by modern ones - gas-filled ones. They work harder, but are more different stable work and long service life.

Unlike its counterparts, the compensation chamber of these shock absorbers is not filled ordinary air, and the gas that is pumped into it is under very high pressure - up to 28 atmospheres. In addition, in order to isolate the gas from the oil, the chamber was separated by a special membrane. The use of this technology has reduced the likelihood of foaming oily liquid to a minimum - because the higher the pressure in the oil, the higher its binding properties and its boiling point.

Due to the high pressure, the shock absorber piston is always pressed. This makes it possible to react to shortcomings much faster domestic roads. Moreover, a single-tube shock absorber, unlike a hydraulic double-pipe shock absorber, is cooled better, therefore, it operates more stably and copes better with its responsibilities.

Gas-filled shock absorbers are stiffer than oil shock absorbers. Basically, they are equipped with cars of athletes and those car enthusiasts for whom quiet ride not to my liking.

Another advantage gas shock absorbers is the ability to install them in different directions (both horizontally and vertically, and at different angles of inclination). Let us remind you that installing hydraulic ones in such positions is strictly prohibited.

The disadvantages of gas-filled shock absorbers can be attributed to them quite high cost, complexity of production, less comfort and quite large loads on the car body. The latter feature negatively affects the condition of the body, reduces the strength of all metal parts, and bearings and ball joints fail faster.

Gas or oil?

Let's start with the fact that there are no bad or good shock absorbers. It all depends on the professional skills of the driver, the ability to maintain the car, and its condition. And a lot depends on the condition of the road surface.

As experienced car enthusiasts say, each road has its own shock absorbers.

Every car enthusiast, installing one or another model of shock absorbers, strives to increase the comfort and controllability of the car. But be that as it may, these two indicators are opposite to each other - by improving one of them, we automatically worsen the other. Every car enthusiast has own style controls and opinions about the level of comfort and suspension stiffness - the level of suspension stiffness that suits one driver may cause resentment in another.

Therefore, if car enthusiasts you know persistently recommend certain shock absorbers, saying that gas-filled struts are better than oil ones, you should not agree with them. Yes, indeed, they do a good job of their duties, but gas shock absorbers can only show their advantages during sports competitions. Looking at the driving style of “ordinary” motorists and the condition of our roads, hydraulic shock absorbers are what is needed.

On the hydraulics side is their cost.— oil shock absorbers are an order of magnitude lower than gas-filled ones. As for gas shock absorbers, they are certainly on their side. best level management.

Imagine the scene - you are driving and in front of your car, a pedestrian crosses the road. You, of course, brake - the car stops a few centimeters away from him. If your car had hydraulic struts, the pedestrian would now be somewhere in the area of the rear axle. Unlike hydraulics, cars with gas-filled shock absorbers have less braking distances . You should not install gas shock absorbers on old cars, in particular on domestic models— a year of driving on such shock absorbers will completely destroy it.

The article was written based on materials from the sites: autowestnik.ru, avtonov.com, www.avtobeginner.ru.

Sooner or later, every car enthusiast faces a problem - what shock absorbers should be installed to replace used old ones?. The domestic shock absorber market is so diverse that it is easy to get confused in the abundance of manufacturers. And driving a car with faulty struts is not only not pleasant, but even risky - the car becomes uncontrollable, has poor grip on the road surface, constantly pulls to the side, and the effectiveness of the braking system noticeably decreases.

And what to do, before there were ordinary hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers, but my work colleagues recommend installing modern ones - gas ones. Some domestic car enthusiasts prefer to change shock absorbers immediately after purchasing a new car. How feasible is this, which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil, or maybe there is an alternative to both - today we will figure it out, based on our own driving experience and advice from experts.

Why are they needed at all...

Hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers

The main disadvantage hydraulic struts is the presence of an air mixture in the compensation chamber. In the case when there is a low level of air in the chamber or there is no air at all, the efficiency of the shock absorbers is zero. Otherwise, when there is too much air, the shock absorber will also not cope with its duties - it will simply fail (compress and expand without resistance).

Also a negative feature of oil shock absorbers is their poor heat transfer. During long driving, due to poor cooling conditions, the oil fluid in the shock absorbers overheats, thereby losing its binding properties, which means the efficiency of the struts is reduced. When driving on poor quality roads, even at low speed, the car body begins to sway a little - this is not at all dangerous, but rather unpleasant.

It is not recommended to drive quickly on bad roads in a car equipped with hydraulic struts. Due to the frequent and sudden movement of the piston, a tense field is created on its working surface, which contributes to the formation of cavitation bubbles - in a word, it can cause foaming oil.

Gas shock absorbers

A few years ago, soft hydraulics were replaced by modern ones - gas-filled ones. They work harder, but are more stable and have a longer service life.

Unlike its counterparts, the compensation chamber of these shock absorbers is filled not with ordinary air, but with gas, which is pumped into it under very high pressure - up to 28 atmospheres. In addition, in order to isolate the gas from the oil, the chamber was separated by a special membrane. The use of this technology has reduced the likelihood of foaming of the oil liquid to a minimum - after all, the higher the pressure in the oil, the higher its binding properties and its boiling point.

Due to the high pressure, the shock absorber piston is always pressed. This makes it possible to react much faster to the shortcomings of domestic roads. Moreover, a single-tube shock absorber, unlike a hydraulic double-pipe shock absorber, is cooled better, therefore, it operates more stably and copes better with its responsibilities.

Gas-filled shock absorbers are stiffer than oil shock absorbers. Basically, they are equipped with cars of athletes and those motorists for whom a quiet ride is not to their liking.

The disadvantages of gas-filled shock absorbers We can attribute their rather high cost, complexity of production, less comfort and rather large loads on the car body. The latter feature negatively affects the condition of the body, reduces the strength of all metal parts, and bearings and ball joints fail faster.

Gas or oil?

As experienced car enthusiasts say, each road has its own shock absorbers.

Every car enthusiast, installing one or another model of shock absorbers, strives to increase the comfort and controllability of the car. But be that as it may, these two indicators are opposite to each other - by improving one of them, we automatically worsen the other. Each car enthusiast has his own driving style and opinion about the level of comfort and suspension stiffness - the level of suspension stiffness that suits one driver may cause resentment in another.

On the hydraulics side is their cost.- oil shock absorbers are an order of magnitude lower than gas-filled ones. As for gas shock absorbers, they are certainly on their side. best level of management.

Imagine the scene - you are driving and in front of your car, a pedestrian crosses the road. You, of course, brake - the car stops a few centimeters away from him. If your car had hydraulic struts, the pedestrian would now be somewhere in the area of the rear axle. Unlike hydraulics, cars with gas-filled shock absorbers have shorter braking distances. You should not install gas shock absorbers on old cars, in particular on domestic models - a year of driving on such shock absorbers will completely destroy it.

So the choice is yours!

One of the most important nodes chassis modern car are shock absorbers. These important technical elements at the beginning of the last century. It was then that the engineers wondered about the additional softness of the suspension. The inventors did not have the problem of choosing which shock absorbers were better - gas or oil; they solved more complex problems related to driving safety.

A little history

At the dawn of mechanical engineering, longitudinal sway of the overall structure of a car body was a significant problem. Now we choose which shock absorbers are better: gas or oil, but then the car body was supported by springs. And their design did not fully meet technological safety criteria. The described shortcomings were especially felt in passenger cars. A wheel falling even into a small hole created additional load on a spring or spring system. And this led to very rapid wear and tear. There was no talk about the comfort of passengers inside the cabin.

Therefore, all work to increase vehicle speed limits came to a standstill. Specialists from many design bureaus have thought about creating a damper that could remove part of the load from the main suspension. It was this idea that was brilliantly implemented in the creation of the first shock absorbers. Over time, several shock-absorbing structures were created, the most successful of which was the MacPherson. Engineers still don’t think about which shock absorbers are better, but use this system in modern cars.

Shock absorber designs

So, the main element in smoothing the movement is the shock absorber itself, or the “strut”, as it is popularly called. Modern market offers a huge number of such units. How not to get lost in this vast business segment? Which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil? How to buy what your car needs? And finally, how to avoid additional financial costs? This will become clear if you delve deeply into the characteristics of these products.

Today there are two types of the mentioned mechanisms: hydraulic and gas. There is also a third option, combined (so-called gas-oil shock absorbers). But it is quite rare, so let’s talk about the two main ones. It is worth noting that all these varieties have both their fans and critics from car enthusiasts. Let's try to figure out which shock absorbers are better.

Oil shock absorber

Modern car manufacturers most often use hydraulic shock absorbers. They are also called oil, since the working fluid inside the strut housing is special oil. Such a mechanism consists of a working cylinder, a rod with a piston, a special guide bushing and working fluid.

The operating principle of this device is the movement of oil filling the working space. Moving inside the shock absorber, the liquid dampens negative vibrations that create destructive loads on the springs.

Disadvantages of the oil system

The main disadvantage of such shock absorbers, according to experts, is the presence of an air mixture in the compensation chamber. Insufficient air level or its complete absence negates the full operation of the entire unit. Conversely, excessive air mixture content in the working chamber leads to the unsuitability of the system. In both cases, the structure compresses and expands without the necessary effort.

In addition, oil shock absorbers are characterized by low heat transfer. This significantly affects the smoothing of movement when long-term operation auto. The working fluid, which is located inside the shock absorber, heats up and loses its binding functions, which also quite seriously affects the performance of the chassis. This is especially noticeable in hot weather.

Bad roads are the enemies of shock absorbers

With frequent driving on uneven roads, such mechanisms quickly fail. This is primarily due to the frequent stroke of the piston in the working cylinder of the shock absorber. The working fluid seems to be “shaken” and significantly loses its viscosity. As a result, the springs carry an additional negative load. Passengers inside the car experience so-called “breakdowns”. In other words, hard and loud impacts when the wheel hits a hole.

When cooling working mixture in the unit its properties are not restored. Which should also be considered a significant design disadvantage. At high speeds, a failed shock absorber can even cause emergency situation(due to dangerous longitudinal sway of the body on uneven roads).

And then a kind of chain reaction follows: due to poor shock absorbers, the brake system may fail; and this affects the increase in the overall braking distance and traffic safety. And finally, I would like to note that if the entire suspension fails, your wheels will suffer, and tire wear will exceed all pessimistic expectations.

Are there any advantages to oil shock absorbers?

It would seem that when buying hydraulic mechanisms, you are faced with continuous disadvantages. What is the point of such a purchase, and which shock absorbers are better?

Firstly, the situations described above occur when the car has been used for quite a long time. It never hurts to stop by a service station and check the condition of the car if you suddenly hear a strange noise while driving.

Secondly, quite common cause Shock absorber failure results in aggressive and careless driving. Here you just need to remember speed limits. You shouldn’t fly into deep holes and then count on the safety of the suspension.

Thirdly, like all equipment, the shock-absorbing system requires, albeit small, maintenance. We are talking about rubber seals that need to be treated with silicone grease at least occasionally.

Cost matters

The financial costs that you will incur when purchasing oil units are not comparable to the purchase of gas shock absorbers. Actually, we talk about this last, because when we're talking about about safety, money should take a back seat. When answering the question about which shock absorbers are better, gas or oil, do not forget that the latter are relatively inexpensive.

It is easier to observe safety precautions during operation and initially purchase products only from well-known manufacturers. It would not be out of place to note that technological process Replacing shock absorbers is quite complicated. It should only be carried out at specialized service stations. Otherwise, the costs that you will incur when frequently changing these units will be quite significant.

Gas shock absorber is more reliable

Taking into account all the above factors, experts recommend turning your attention to gas mechanisms. Yes, they are much more expensive, but they are more adapted to our difficult road realities. The main difference between gas shock absorbers and oil shock absorbers is the working mixture located in the compensation chamber. In gas devices, it is filled not with oil, but with a gas mixture, which is pumped there under high pressure, which forces the piston to be pressed all the time. Therefore, when the car hits an uneven road, the stiffness of the shock absorber changes nonlinearly, which ensures better vehicle controllability. High level The rigidity of gas-filled mechanisms ensures safe driving at high speeds, minimizing the effect of longitudinal rocking. This has a positive effect on other components of the car. Fuel consumption when using such a suspension is slightly reduced. Favorable factors include less tire wear.

Thus, gas shock absorbers (reviews from engineers and experienced drivers allow us to draw a similar conclusion) are significantly superior to oil ones. However, this does not mean that they are ideal.

Flaws

As you know, everything has its drawbacks, and the devices we are reviewing are no exception. Therefore, there is a clear answer to the question “Which shock absorbers should I choose?” does not exist. It all depends on the driver’s commitment to a particular design. Due to the notorious rigidity, gas-filled mechanisms have a greater impact on the body, often rendering its metal segments unusable. This applies primarily to bearings and ball joints, the failure of which can lead to lengthy and rather costly repairs. If we also take into account the rather high cost of the gas-filled shock absorber itself, it turns out that, from a financial point of view, such a purchase is unjustified. It’s not for nothing that expensive sports cars are equipped with these designs.

So when the problem of choosing arises, remember what you can face in the event of a breakdown. Although most experts claim that the quality still justifies the high price (in the case of gas shock absorbers). When driving carefully and properly maintenance Such mechanisms will fully pay off. As already noted, the manufacturer plays a huge role in the selection of such shock absorbers.

What you need to know about replacing shock absorbers

If you happen to experience repairs to gas shock absorbers, you need to remember that, as a rule, such units are replaced in pairs. Make sure that the product is fully certified. In addition, pay attention to the warranty periods. Then you will be able to appeal if there is a manufacturing defect. This happens quite often, and if you bought your shock absorbers on the market, then most likely you will have to do this again.

Based on all of the above, we conclude: you should opt for gas-filled shock absorbers. However, they are less susceptible to wear and tear. This means that all unpleasant procedures for their possible replacement can be postponed, at least until the end of the warranty. And if you comply with all the conditions that we talked about, such a purchase will save your money and nerves.

Many inexperienced drivers do not see the difference between the functions of suspension springs and shock absorbers. It seems that both of them are designed to combat vibrations when the wheels hit uneven roads. In this regard, it is still necessary to make an explanation. Springs are elastic element, their task is to absorb energy that is transferred to the body. However, to ensure that the wheels are constantly in contact with the surface, one more detail is needed: a vibration damper, which will prevent the body (and, accordingly, the wheels) from swaying after each impact. It is the role of such a damper that the shock absorber plays.

Shock absorbers may have different designs and differ in types of working fluid. Twin-tube oil shock absorbers have two cylinders: an internal one in which the piston moves, and an external one, which is sometimes called a compensation cylinder. When the wheel moves upward, the working fluid is compressed, and it is forced through the main valves in the piston into the space above it, and through additional valves in the lower part into the outer cylinder. When lights out happens reverse process. The main advantage of this design is its simplicity and efficiency, but the disadvantages include the sensitivity of this type of shock absorbers to their position (installation at large angles to the vertical is not allowed) and the likelihood of foaming of the working fluid during intensive work. Frequent and rapid movements of the piston lead to air from the compensation cylinder entering the liquid, as a result of which the damping characteristics deteriorate.

To avoid foaming, gas under low pressure began to be used in twin-tube shock absorbers instead of air. Such shock absorbers are called gas-oil shock absorbers. They, like hydraulic ones, cannot be installed “upside down” - the gas must be in the upper part.

But another type of shock absorbers is indifferent to orientation. These are single-tube structures - as the name implies, such a shock absorber has only one cylinder, one cavity. However, it is divided not only by the main piston, but also by an additional floating one, behind which there is gas under high pressure (about 20 bar). If in a gas-oil two-pipe shock absorber gas actually plays the role of a support, preventing the oil from foaming, then here it is directly involved in damping vibrations. Moreover, since, unlike a liquid, gas is still compressible, its damping characteristic is nonlinear: with significant movements of the piston, the stiffness of the shock absorber will be higher. Such shock absorbers are often called gas shock absorbers, although oil is also present in them, therefore, strictly speaking, it would be correct to call them gas-oil monopipe.

In motorsports, special shock absorbers are used that have an additional remote reservoir. This solution allows you to increase the total volume of working fluid and improve its cooling (which is important when taking into account driving at the limit). Note that in normal “civilian” conditions, the use of sports shock absorbers with remote reservoirs does not provide tangible advantages.

We should also highlight the expensive adaptive shock absorbers, which, for obvious reasons, have become widespread in premium class cars. They provide the ability to quickly change characteristics while driving. Such shock absorbers may have electronic control(the resistance of the electric valves changes based on a signal from the control unit) or magnetic adjustment. In the latter case working fluid contains magnetic particles, and the piston is an electromagnet, which is again controlled by an electronic “brain”. Changing characteristics magnetic field, you can change the viscosity of the liquid, and, therefore, the characteristics of the shock absorber. The response time of the electromagnet to commands from the control unit is about 10 ms, therefore, we can say that changes in characteristics can occur instantly. The suspension actually receives adaptive properties, that is, it automatically adjusts to the current topography of the road surface. The disadvantage of controlled shock absorbers is, of course, their price.

Now that we've introduced you to all the main types of shock absorbers, it's time to ask yourself: so which ones should you choose? own car? The choice of shock absorbers is determined by the pros and cons of each design. The simplest option is hydraulic (oil). They are reliable, resistant to minor damage to the outer casing and provide acceptable comfort. However, if you often drive on rough roads, or simply prefer an active driving style, oil shock absorbers are contraindicated for you due to the tendency to foaming already discussed above. Gas-oil ones are largely free from this drawback: the gas supports the oil, preventing the formation of bubbles in it. Among the disadvantages of this type of strut, we note the linear damping characteristic: the suspension will be equally soft (or hard) on any surface. But gas monotube shock absorbers provide not only more effective shock absorption, both on smooth asphalt and on rough roads, but also more reliable contact of the wheels with the surface. If controllability and car stability in corners are important to you, choose gas ones. Of course, they will cost you more than oil ones, but the result will be worth it. Gas ones also have their drawbacks, the main one of which is failure if the housing is damaged. However, this does not happen often.

Whatever the design of shock absorbers, their service life largely depends on operating conditions and, first of all, on workloads. In order to extend the service life of not only shock absorbers, but also most suspension parts, we recommend using one of the effective and safe tuning methods: or rear suspension.

This is one of the elements of a car’s suspension that affects its behavior while driving and is closely related to safe driving. Therefore, if the question is which shock absorbers are best to install, then you need to focus not on the company or price, but on the tests and recommendations of the automaker.

The situation is exactly the same with the choice of shock absorber type - gas or oil - it is recommended install only those provided at the car factory. Others can influence the behavior of the machine and not always in better side deviating from the desired result.

From this article you will learn:

Important indicators for choosing shock absorbers

When figuring out what to look for when choosing the best shock absorbers, you should first emphasize on:

Braking distances, no matter how strange it sounds. After all, shock absorbers resist swaying, which greatly affects how quickly the car stops when emergency braking. That is, the softer the shock absorber strut, the greater the amplitude of vibration during braking of a car with an ABS system.
Sagging on sharp turns. Due to centrifugal force body roll is created when the car enters a turn at speed and, as a result, deterioration of adhesion to the road surface occurs, which, in turn, threatens the loss of the trajectory. The stiffness of the shock absorber is also responsible for this indicator.
Stability on rough roads depends on the ability of shock absorbers to quickly dampen vibrations when passing uneven surfaces. The resistance of the shock absorber is responsible for this indicator.

graph of the relationship between handling and smoothness

An unbiased comparison of the three most well-known shock absorber manufacturers allowed us to draw the following subjective conclusions:

shock absorbers Bilstein will be a good choice for fast and sharply controlled driving, but at the same time you will have to endure shaking and hard suspension;
when driving not fast and comfortable, install shock absorbers Monroe– the best option;
For mixed cycles movement recommend installation Kayaba.

Choosing the best shock absorber for your driving style

Which shock absorbers are best suited for your car largely depends on the intended purpose, road quality, tire hardness and your driving style. Therefore, the same car can hold the road well at speed, but will be annoying with shaking even at small bumps, and another car, which behaves inertly and sluggishly when cornering, will perfectly handle even deep potholes. And all because the characteristics of shock absorbers depend on the type and serviceability.

When deciding which shock absorber to install, you need to decide which indicator you prefer: fast handling or soft comfort. After all, unfortunately, when one indicator increases, the other decreases.

If there are no special requirements for operation, then it is advisable not to overthink anything and adhere to the recommendations of the car manufacturer when buying standard shock absorber struts. Their technical indicators compatible with normal vehicle operating conditions - they have reliable stability, controllability, take into account the characteristics of the suspension and body strength.

Shock absorbers that are too powerful can tear out the attachment points to the body or suspension.

When the car is frequently and heavily loaded or there is an additional cylinder from gas equipment in the trunk, it is recommended to buy and install racks 30-40 percent stronger. And drivers who like to press down on the gas pedal install shock absorbers with increased resistance in order to reduce body roll.

All shock absorbers are divided into types according to these two parameters:

composition of the working substance (it can be oil, gas or gas-oil);
number of pipes (2-pipe or single-pipe).

How driving style affects shock absorbers

Discussion eternal question“Which shock absorbers are better”

Gas or oil shock absorbers - which one is better?

As we already know, car shock absorbers are divided into three types according to the type of working substance. Next, let's look at the situations in which they show their best side.

Install oil shock absorbers are better if:

the budget is limited, because due to the main disadvantages, such as poor efficiency on rough roads and unstable work in the cold season, the price of such shock absorbers is significantly lower than others.

Choose gas-oil shock absorbers better if car owner:

prefers a calm driving style;
I’m not ready to frequently repair the car’s suspension.

As a rule, it is these shock absorbers that are installed by the majority of drivers.

Their design is similar to conventional hydraulic ones, but due to the fact that they use nitrogen gas instead of air, they last longer, provide better shock absorption and more efficient work at high speeds on the highway.

Put gas shock absorbers are better if:

the car is often used in racing;
an immediate reaction to changes in the wheel movement mode is required;
need improved handling vehicle in any weather conditions(do not tan in the cold and protect the car from aquaplaning);
the need to confidently maintain grip on the road surface high speed is a priority over comfortable movement.

Main lack of such shock absorbers is that due to the small stroke of the rod you will not only feel shaking on bumps, but also the suspension will have to be repaired more often, since some chassis components will wear out faster.

Operating a vehicle with gas struts on uneven roads will accelerate the failure of other suspension elements.

Choosing best shock absorbers, you can be guided by different criteria: both driving style and operating conditions of the car, or based on the indicator of rigidity and convenience. But in any case, you need to monitor the serviceability of each type of shock absorber, because when one or more shock absorbers fail, the quality of tire adhesion to the road surface significantly deteriorates, and this will negatively affect the stability and braking distance of the car.

In addition, there is also significant wear on such suspension parts - levers, steering tips, tires, springs and brake mechanisms, no matter what brand they are from. That is, from all of the above, we can conclude that for the average car owner, for his car It would be better to install gas-oil shock absorbers. All that remains is to decide on the manufacturer.

Choosing the best shock absorber company - TOP 7

Manufacturers often make shock absorbers that can be installed on most cars, even those designed for different driving styles. At the same time, each of the companies still tries to place greater emphasis on one particular specification, which is why one has to give preference to one or another company, depending on the operating conditions of the car. Next, we will present an overview of such popular companies as: KONI, Bilstein, Boge, Sachs, Monroe, Tokico and KYB, which produce shock absorbers that have successfully proven themselves in practice.

Shock absorbers Bilstein and KONI are the most expensive and reliable. If the conversation concerns the company KONI, then the manufacturer provides a guarantee for the entire service life of the car. Their shock absorbers are applicable to any car and any driving style. The type of KONI shock absorbers must be selected depending on the suspension design and operating conditions. The suspensions of Mazerati, Lamborghini, and Ferrari cars are equipped with such shock absorbers. Before packaging them, the manufacturer tests the shock absorbers to ensure they strictly comply with the specified characteristics.

The German Bilsteins will be a little worse because their only “coolest” series is the sports series (Sport, Sprint and Rally). The suspension with their monotube gas shock absorber will be very stiff.

Boge Same German quality. Shock absorbers from this company, which, by the way, is now owned by Sachs, are installed on conveyor vehicles VAG concern, BMW and Mercedes. The cost is much cheaper than the previous ones, and specifications foreign cars general purpose don't change. Shock absorbers are produced with 3 basic needs in mind: for comfortable driving (Pro-gas, Automatic), for sports cars(Turbo-gas) and able to withstand increased loads(Nivomat, Turbo24).

Shock absorbers Sachs will stand only half a step higher than Kayaba or Tokiko, as they are designed for general accessibility and applicability. Although they are from the same unit along with Boge, there is no clear distribution according to purpose and operating conditions, depending on the suspension (both for a jeep and for a passenger car are the same). Sachs are available in several modifications: SuperTouring, Advantage and Sporting Set.

Japanese shock absorbers KYB And TOKICO more or less reliable. Kayaba can be found on cars from the assembly line of Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Renault and many others, because their factories are located in more than 10 countries around the world, but TOKICO is designed exclusively for the Japanese and some American automakers. But there are no fakes either, which cannot be said about Kayab.

KAYABA are produced in standard gas-oil and reinforced gas shock absorbers. There is a separate line for all-wheel drive jeeps - MonoMax, sports - Ultra SR and standard operation - Exel-G.

Shock absorbers of the company MONROE designed for the aftermarket. Their reliability corresponds to the price, and their service life will be close to 20 thousand km. A car with such struts will sway slightly on uneven roads, but will begin to fall over when turning. The Belgian manufacturer presents its shock absorbers in wide range. They offer single and double tube racks. Previously, they were quite popular and of better quality, but recently they have begun to lose ground. But still, they are somewhat more reliable than Profit or Optimal. Monroe is a normal economy option.

As you can see, there is a wide choice, and there is no point in giving clear preference to shock absorbers from one or another company. Rather, you need to make a choice for reasons of expediency rather than simply asking people which shock absorbers are better - almost every manufacturer offers its own type of shock absorber that is suitable for any conditions and methods of operation. So, if you have a domestic car, then there is no point in buying expensive Koni, Belstein or Boge, and the ideal option would be Sax or Monroe. But it’s better to put a brand new middle-class foreign car in Boga or Kayaba.